Around a third of the country’s 170 million population lacks electric power. As the government struggles to push through coal power plants, solar is key to a goal of universal access by 2021.

Rahman signalled Bangladesh Bank is preparing to expand the low carbon push to other sectors. “These are only small initial steps,” he said, “with lots more to do in our intended countrywide transition to environmentally sustainable output practices and lifestyles.”

It may issue a green bond to raise money for such projects, he added – a suggestion welcomed by the Climate Bonds Initiative.

“We look forward to Dr. Atiur and his pioneering central bank to show us its next steps in the transition,” wrote the think tank’s CEO Sean Kidney in a blog. “Bravo, Bangladesh!”